HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.2 CityLink Evaluation CITY OF DUBLIN
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: October 28 , 1991
SUBJECT: CityLink Evaluation
(Prepared by Bo Barker, Management Assistant)
EXHIBITS ATTACHED: CityLink Summary
RECOMMENDATION:?), lthough there are potential benefits to
G CityLink, Staff recommends CityLink not be
purchased as the benefits do not justify the
costs.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Estimated Annual Charges:
CityLink Services = $480 to $970 yearly
Phone Line Service Charge = $160 yearly
Total Estimated Annual Cost = $640 - $1130
Estimated one time Chartres:
Phone Line Installation = $150
Hardware and Software = $185
Total Estimated One Time Charges = $335
DESCRIPTION: At the City Council meeting on September 23 , 1991,
Staff was requested to evaluate the usefulness of the League of
California Cities' on-line computer network called CityLink. The
following discussion outlines the CityLink programs, benefits, and
costs.
CityLink is an on-line network with electronic mail, bulletin board
. service, legislative services and legal services. The following is a
brief description of each service option offered.
1. Electronic Mail Service: Electronic Mail allows a user to send
private messages to other users on the system. When the system
is activated, the user is notified of any messages. The system
would need to be used on a regular basis to derive the greatest
benefit.
2 . Bulletin Board Service: A user can post messages, inquiries, or
comments to the Bulletin Board. Generally, the goal of this
service is to attract responses from other cities. For example,
a City might post a message asking if any city is amending their
noise ordinance, thus hoping for responses.
3 . State Net Legislative Service: Users can track the progress of
any bill in the legislature. This would include committee votes,
voting records and history of individual legislators, bill text,
and schedules of hearing dates for bills.
4 . Legal Services: An index and text-searchable database of
opinions and papers from the Leagues legal library and "legal
link" which is a bulletin board exclusively for City Attorneys.
The cost of the services vary according to the extent of service for
which a city subscribes. There are four basic subscription levels
which can be purchased.
1. CityLink Electronic Mail and Bulletin Boards = $480 per year.
(12 hours of on-line service, one access code)
This is the basic limited service of the bulletin board and
electronic mail.
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2 . State Net Legislative Service plus #1 = $970 per year.
(12 hours of on-line service, one access code)
This option provides for bulletin board, electronic mail, and
legislative support. The legislative services is the most
popular part of the CityLink system.
3 . Legal Services plus #1 and #2 = $2,340 per year.
(60 hours of on-line service, two access codes)
Legal services would not be relevant due to the City's contract
for legal counsel.
There is also a one time cost of $185 for a modem and communications
software, $150 for installation of a phone line and $160 per year for
phone line service charges.
A number of Alameda County cities were contacted to gain their input
on the CityLink system and their perception of the benefits.
Additionally, a member of the City Manager's Staff served as the
CityLink representative in previous employment.
The responses from Alameda County Cities were similar. The Electronic
Mail and Bulletin Board systems were rarely used. It was utilized
more often to post messages and received an average of 3 to 4
responses. Due to time factors involved in responding to inquiries
and work loads of the administrators, message responses are minimal.
This was also the experience of our Staff. Simply stated, there are
many diverse issues and responding regularly to all the inquires would
require at least one day a week. The Legislative Service is by far
the most used part of CityLink. Tracking bills, viewing voting
records and following hearing dates can be useful. Once again, the
surveyed cities expressed support of the system, yet also stated that
it wasn't used much because of other priorities. Legal Services would
not be relevant to Dublin due to our contract for City Attorney
services.
Currently, the City obtains information on bills through the League of
California Cities. Status of bills, upcoming committee dates and vote
records are obtained from the league staff. Additionally, on request,
the State Bill Room sends copies of text within one to two days.
RECOMMENDATION: Although there are potential benefits to CityLink,
it is Staff's belief that CityLink would not be cost beneficial at
this time. The Legislative Services is the only real benefit to the
system and the cost doesn't substantiate advantages of having on-line
services. The City receives weekly updates from the League and can
obtain all Legislative Services through the League office and the
Legislative Bill Room as part of our regular membership.
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CITYLINK
California Cities
Work Together The League of California Cities'Online Network
CITYLINK is the computerized information network developed by the League that offers a variety of important services
to California cities,such as California and Federal legislation,League bulletins,city attorney papers and opinions, publi-
cations and special public affairs databases. Since it's"debut"at the League Annual Conference in 1988,CITYLINK has
grown both in the scope of services offered and in the number of cities that subscribe. Today,over 350 users in 180 cities
across the state access CITYLINK. Together, these cities have created a unique information exchange for local govem-
ment that is unparalleled in the nation.
The League is proud of the fact that so many of our member cities have chosen to use CITYLINK to enhance their ability
to work together. If your city is not currently a CITYLINK subscriber,we invite you to evaluate our network and see
what it can do for you.
The CITYLINK Main Menu
Network Services Online Directories
Electronic Mail allows California directories
you to communicate CITYLINK include: executive,
instantly with over 350 sponsored by the judicial,lobbyist/PAC,
users in 180 cities. League of California Cities and local government.
Message activity on Messages Directories National directories
CITYLINK bulletin Ml—Message of the Day D1—National Directories provide district addresses
M2—E-Mail(Menu) D2—State Directories for members of Congress
boards make CITYLINK M3—E-Mail(what next?)
one of the busiest M4—League Bulletin Boards State Net Reporting Services or the legislature in any of
information exchanges M5—State Agency Bulletin Boards Q1—Display Status by Bill Number the 50 states.
S1—Find CA and US Legislation
available. Public Affairs Newsfile S2—Find CA and US Regulations
Pi—State Capitol Reports S3—Manage Private Files State Net
Public Affairs P2—Initiatives and Other S4—Search Legislative Text Legislative
Ballot Measures S5—Display Text by Bill Number
Newsfile P3—Official News Releases Services
Search State Net's P4—Publications League of Cities Network Databases The most comprehensive
databases for up to date P5—Calendars L1—Legal Services legislative reporting
P6—CA Campaign Contributions L2—Recycle Link
information on public system available any-
affairs, including press where! Use the system to
Enter selection or type"Hangup"
releases, initiatives and obtain bill text,status
ballot measures,and -� reports,hearing sched-
articles from the ules,voting records and
California Journal. Rec cleLink much more.
y The Legal Services System (LSS)
A cooperative development of the League,The County A computerized index and text-searchable database of opinions and
Supervisors Association and The Local Government papers from the League's legal library,plus Legal-link,the bulletin
Commission, RecycleLink offers a database of board designed exclusively for City Attorneys.
recycled products and a special bulletin board for
information exchange.
For a free, no obligation CITYLINK "test-drive"please see the CITYLINK representative
at the CITYLINK Information booth during the Annual Conference,
or contact Patrick Foarde at the League office in Sacramento (916)444-5790.
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CITYLINK Service Fee Schedule
CITYLINK costs are based on the level of service and the number of hours you purchase. All service agreements are made with
Information for Public Affairs, Inc.of Sacramento. Service agreements are for one year unless otherwise negotiated.
I. CITYLINK Electronic Mail & Bulletin Board Service
PRICE: S480 per year or S40 per month for 12 hours. (discount price=S427.50)
NOTE: Annual fee is discounted if full payment is made in advance.
Includes: Access to all of the CITYLINK services described above;
Toll free access; 1 access code and user guide
Additional Charges S36 per hour for excess hours(over 12)or S300 for additional 12 hour block
RecycleLink Recycled Products Guide: S20 per month or S240 per year
II. CITYLINK with STATE NET Legislative Services
Price S 970 per year or S60 per month for 12 hours (discount price=S 920)
S1,500 per year or S125 per month for 36 hours (discount price=S1425)
S2,100 per year or S175 per month for 60 hours (discount price=S1995)
53,300 per year or S275 per month for 108 hours(discount price=S3135)
Unlimited hours by agreement with State Net.
NOTE: Annual fee is discounted if full payment is made in advance.
Includes: All CITYLINK Network Services,State Net Legislative Service,toll free access,
1 access code and user guide.
Additional Charges S42 per hour for excess hours(over 12)or 5300 for additional 12 hour block
S5 per month or S60 per year for additional access codes.
III. Full CITYLINK Services
Price: S2,340 per year or S195 per month for 60 hours (discount price=2185)
NOTE: Annual fee is discounted if full payment is made in advance.
Includes: All CITYLINK Network Services,State Net Lesislative Service,Legal Services,
toll free access,2 access codes and user guides.
Additional Charges $42 per hour for excess hours(over 12)or S-300 for additional 12 hour block
S5 per month or S60 per year for additional access codes.
Recycled Products Guide:($20 per month,includes hard copy guide.)
IV. Legal Services Hourly
Price: S 185 annual subscription fee and S48 per hour. (One hour per month minimum).
Includes: All CITYLINK Network Services,Legal Services,toll free access,
1 access code and user guide.NOTE:State Net Legislative Service is not included!
To order a CITYLINK subscriber agreement, contact Jim Mohr at State Net, (916) 444-0840
or Patrick Foarde, at the League (916).444-5790